Penny S. Zehnder

Penny S. Zehnder, of Bellingham, Washington, passed away on September 7, 2026. Penny was born on July 12, 1946, in Bellingham to Arnold and Phyllis (Sorenson) Haugen. She was raised in Everson and graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1964 before attending Western Washington University, where she began studying business and accounting.

After marrying William “Bill” Zehnder on September 6, 1969, Penny paused her college education as they began raising their family. Determined to complete what she had started, she later returned to Western while raising their three children, earning her degree with a major in accounting and a minor in business.

Penny passed the CPA exam on her first attempt and began a long and accomplished career in accounting. She worked for Larsen Gross before joining Moss Adams and later opened her own firm, Penny Zehnder CPA. Penny truly loved her work and continued serving her clients until her passing at age 80. Accounting was more than a profession to her; it was also something she genuinely enjoyed. She had an exceptional mind for numbers and calculations and always liked keeping her mind active. Penny was deeply committed to her clients and was known for going above and beyond for those she served.

Outside of work, Penny generously gave her time to her church and community. She was devoted to Church of the Assumption, where she sang in the choir. She also volunteered with organizations such as Hope House and the American Red Cross. Above all, Penny was devoted to her family and her faith. She was a driven, intelligent, and caring woman who remained closely involved in the lives of those she loved.

Penny was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Kimberly Slavens.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Zehnder; children, Marcus Zehnder, Adam (Danielle) Zehnder, and Mindy Zehnder; grandchildren, Melissa (Craig) Libby, Marcus Zehnder, Jr., S’Kylinn Zehnder, Taysia Zehnder, and Devin Rosales; great-grandchildren, Ariella Zehnder and Rocky Libby; and brother, Jim (Peggy) Haugen.

A Vigil Service with sharing time will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, at Westford Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Church of the Assumption in Bellingham. A reception will follow at Westford’s Broadway Hall, 1300 Broadway. Penny will be laid to rest at Bayview Cemetery.